Collar support for laundered shirts



Nov. 7, 1961 E. J. GOUSH ETAL 3,007,615

COLLAR SUPPORT FOR LAUNDERED SHIRTS Filed Aug. 19, 1958 INVENTORS.Edward J. (104/55 dafi/ 0. Jones A TTOKNEK 3,007,615 CGLLAR SUPPORT FORLAUNDERED SHlRTS Edward J. Goush, Kansas City North, and Carl 0. Jones,North Kansas City, Mo, assignors to Midwest Hanger (10., Kansas City,Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Aug. 19, 1958, Ser. No. 755,935 7Claims. (Cl. 223-85) This invention relates to a collar support forlaundered shirts and has for its most important object to provide acollar support device of the character referred to which is extremelysimple in design, yet may be utilized on shirts of all sizes withoutmodification of the device.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a collar supportfor shirts designed to provide necessary support for the collar Withoutcausing the tips of the collar to assume an arcuate configuration,thereby reducing the tendency of such collar tips to curl outwardlyduring wearing of the shirt.

A further important object of this invention is to pro vide anadjustable collar support for shirts of all sizes which may beconstructed of a single, elongated strip of relatively narrow, flexiblematerial and which is adapted to effectively support the collar of ashirt, with the only necessary modification of the strip being provisionof a collar button receiving slit at one end thereof and substantiallytransversely extending corrugations in intermediate portions of thestrip adapted for shaping the latter to the configurations of the collarto provide support for the same throughout those areas of the collarmost usually su ject to creasing and crushing, whereby the strip may bemanufactured at a minimum cost with conventional stamping machines andthe like.

Also an important object is to provide an adjustable collar support forshirts of all sizes wherein the strip is adapted to be placed within theneck opening of the shirt beneath and in supporting relationship to thecollar thereof with opposed ends of the strip disposed in overlappingrelationship and wherein the normally overlapped ends of the definedstrip have novel means thereon for permitting releasable interconnectionof the same, regardless of the degree of overlap as determined by theneck size and thereby the circumference of the shirt collar.

Other important objects of this invention relate to the provision of anadjustable collar support for shirts as referred to above, wherein themeans for releasably interconnecting overlapped portions of oppositeends of the flexible strip includes opposed areas of cohesive capable ofsecuring one end of the strip to the opposite end thereof when thecohesive areas are brought into contacting relationship, whereby rapidinterconnection of the ends of the strip may be effected when thesupport is placed within the neck opening of the shirt; to the provisionof a pair of spaced areas of substantially transversely extendingcorrugations in the strip with the corrugations of each area beingdisposed in parallel relationship at a predetermined angle relative tothe longitudinal length of the strip to thereby cause the areas toconform to the normally arcuate portions of the collar and therebyproviding more effective support throughout the entire circumference ofthe collar; to a collar support strip as described wherein thecorrugations in the spaced areas are disposed in opposed directions tocause the strip to assume the normal configuration of the collar whenopposed ends of the strip are moved into overlapping relationship andwithout hand shaping of the strip being necessary; to a novel slit inone end of the strip having a U-shaped slot portion adapted to receivethe thread attaching the collar button to the shirt, whereby thedesignated end of the strip is releasably secured to the shirt anddislodgment of the support is substantially precluded until the cohesiveareas may be brought into nited States Patent contacting relationship;and to other important objects and details of construction which will bedescribed more fully hereinafter or be apparent from the followingspecification.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing the manner in whichthe instant collar support is adapted to be placed within the neckopening of a shirt beneath and in supporting relationship to the collar;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank embodying the concepts of theinvention-and showing the same in condition for placement within theneck opening of a shirt;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, perspective view of the blank illustrated in FIG.2 and showing the same removed from a shirt and in its normallycollar-supporting position; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line4-.@ of FIG. 2.

Briefly, the instant invention comprises an elongated, relatively narrowstrip of flexible material such as cardboard and adapted to be placedwithin the neck opening of a shirt in supporting relationship to thecollar, regardless of the size thereof, with opposed ends of the stripdisposed in overlapping relationship. A uniquely configured slit in oneend of the strip is adapted to receive the thread attaching the collarbutton to the shirt for releasably securing that end of the strip to theshirt, and cohesive means is disposed on proximal overlapping faces ofthe strip to thereby permit one end of the strip to be releasablysecured to the opposite end thereof when the cohesive areas are broughtinto contacting relationship. Two series of angularly disposedcorrugations in the central part of the strip serve as means for causingthe strip to assume the normal arcuate configuration of the shirt collarwhen opposed ends of the support strip are moved into overlappingrelationship and without hand shaping of the strip being necessary.

An adjustable collar support blank adapted for utilization on shirts ofall sizes is illustrated in the drawing in its preferred form andbroadly designated by the numeral 10. As best seen in FIG. 2, supportblank 19 comprises an initially flat, elongated, relatively narrow strip12 of flexible material such as cardboard and provided with a novel slitbroadly indicated by the numeral 14 in the end 16 of strip 12, dividingend 16 into an upper end segment 17 and a lower end segment 19. Slit i4is defined by a pair of spaced, longitudinally extending slots 18 and20, outermost slot 20 extending inwardly from the transverse edge 22 ofend 16 of strip 12. A substantially U-shaped slot portion 23 presentinga part of slit l4, interconnects proximal extremities of slots 18 and 20and extends laterally from the same, as clearly shown in FIG. 2.

Strip 12 is also provided with a pair of series of corrugations broadlydesignated 24, and 26 in the central part of strip 12. The corrugations28 of each series 24 and 26 are disposed in parallel, spacedrelationship and located at an angle with respect to the longitudinallength of strip 12. The normally lower ends 36 of the corrugations 28 ofeach series 24 and 26 respectively, are located in closer proximity tocorresponding ends 16 and 34 of strip 12 respectively than the upperends 32 of respective corrugations 28. It should be noted at this pointthat the spatial disposition of series of corrugations 24 and 26 isdetermined by the areas of the shirt collar presenting curved surfacesand, therefore, the most difficult to support in a satisfactory manner.

The location of series of corrugations 24 and 26 can best be understoodwhen considering the normal disposition of support 10 in collar 36forming a part of shirt 37. As illustrated in FIG. 1, strip 12 isadapted to be disposed within the neck opening of shirt 37 beneathcollar 36 in supporting relationship thereto, with the ends 16 and 34thereof in overlapping relationship. Series of corrugations 24 and 26are preferably located adjacent corresponding, opposed extremities ofrear portion 38 of collar 36 and particularly areas 40 and 42 whichmerge with sides 44 and 46 of collar 36. Thus, series 24 normallyunderlies area 40 of collar 36 while series 26 is disposed in underlyingrelationship to area 42 of the same.

Means for providing releasable interconnection of overlapped ends 16 and34 of strip 12 may conveniently take the form of an area of cohesive 48on one face of lower segment 19 at end 16, and a second, substantiallylarger area of cohesive 50 located at the end 34 of strip 12 on theopposite face thereof. Thus, when strip 12 is disposed within the neckopening of the shirt beneath collar 36 as illustrated in FIG. 1, areasof cohesive 48 and 50 are brought into proximal relationship so thatupon movement of cohesive area 48 into contact with cohesive area 50,ends 16 and 34 of strip 12 are releasably interconnected.

The manner in which strip 12 is positioned within the neck opening ofthe shirt beneath collar 36 is believed to be manifest from thedescription above, but it is to be pointed out that upper segment 17 ofend 16 is slipped between normally overlapped inner portions 49 and 51of collar 36 while lower segment 19 remains within the neck opening onthe side of portion 51 opposite to that on which upper segment 17 isdisposed. Upper segment 17 is hooked over thread 52 attaching collarbutton 54 to portion 51 of shirt 37, so that thread 52 is disposedwithin U-shaped slot portion 23 to thereby releasably secure segment 17to shirt 37. Thereon, the remaining length of strip 12 is moved aroundthe circumference of collar 36 within the neck opening of shirt 37 untillower segment 19 is disposed in underlying relationship to end 34 ofstrip 12. Thereupon, area of cohesive 48 is moved into contactingrelationship with area of cohesive 50 to releasably interconnect lowersegment 17 and end 34 of strip 12. It is of importance to note thatbecause of the relatively large area of cohesive 50 on end 34 of strip12, the latter is adjustable to all sizes of shirts and firm, releasableinterconnection of lower segment 19 and end 34 of strip 12, is obtainedregardless of the degree of overlap of such ends as determined by theneck size and thereby, the circumference of collar 36.

A feature of the instant invention is the provision of corrugations 28in series 24 and 26 which are disposed at predetermined angles withrespect to the longitudinal length of strip 12 to cause those portion ofstrip 12 (24 and 26) normally adjacent areas 40 and 42 of collar 36 toassume the arcuate configuration of the collar without hand shaping ofstrip 12 being necessary. It can be perceived that because of theplurality of corrugations provided in each series 24 and 26, the strip12 conforms exactly to the arcuate inner surfaces of collar 36 at areas40 and 42 thereof rather than bending along a single transverse line aswould be the case if corrugations 28 were not provided. Thus, collar 36is supported around the entire circumference thereof. It is to beemphasized that because of the disposition of strip 12 within the neckopening of shirt 37 beneath collar 36, the latter is supported in amanner to prevent creasing and wrinkling of the same, yet collar 36 isnot maintained in a substantially round condition as with prior supportsand which tends to cause the tips of the collar to assume a concaveconfiguration and thereby contributing to the tendency of the collartips to project outwardly when the collar support is removed and theperson puts the shirt on. This annoying tendency of other collar tips tocurl and project outwardly during wearing of the shirt is obviated whenstrip 12 is utilized as the support for collar 36 because the tips ofcollar 36 remain in a substantially flat condition from the time ofironing until the wearer puts shirt 37 on.

Furthermore, the angularity of corrugations 28 in each series 24 and 26prevents the back portion 38 or collar 36 from being pushed forwardlytoward the tips of the collar thereby tending to wrinkle the same.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that strip 12 may be constructed of asheet of cardboard and suitably cut to size, followed by passing of thesame through conventional stamping and slotting machines. The result isa very economical, adjustable collar support for shirts of all sizes andwhich retains or surpasses the support characteristics of much moreexpensive devices of this character without causing adverse curling ofthe tips of the collar during use of the support.

The term cohesive as used herein is intended to designate anadhesive-type product which bonds most firmly with another area of thesame material. Preferably, the product should retain its cohesiveproperties over an extended period of time and not adhere to a verygreat extent to substances other than areas of the same or similarcohesives. Self-sealing latex cohesives are particularly suitable fordisposition on lower segment 19 and end 34 of strip 12 to present areas48 and 50, the preferred cohesive being a self-sealing contact adhesivehaving a latex base and manufactured and distributed by the Fuller GlueCompany, Kansas City, Missouri, under the code designation of #5752.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A blank for use in formation of a collar support for shirtscomprising an elongated, relatively narrow strip of flexible materialprovided with a slit in one end thereof defined by a pair oflongitudinally extending slots, one of the slots extending inwardly fromthe transverse edge of said one end of the strip and a substantiallyU-shaped slot interconnecting adjacent portions of said longitudinalslots and a pair of spaced areas of corrugations forming an integralpart of the strip, the corrugations of each area being parallel anddisposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal length of thestrip; and cohesive on areas at opposed ends of the strip, the cohesivebeing on one face of the strip at one end thereof and on the other faceof the strip at the opposite end thereof.

2. In an adjustable collar support for shirts of all sizes, an elongatedstrip of flexible material of dimensions to be placed within the neckopening of a shirt beneath the collar thereof with opposed ends of thestrip disposed in overlapping, substantially V-presenting relationship;and cohesive means on proximal opposed areas of said ends of the stripnormally disposed in overlapping relationship to permit releasableinterconnection of the same when any portions of opposite cohesive areasare brought into contacting relationship and regardless of the degree ofoverlap of said ends as determined by the neck size and thereby thecircumference of said collar, one end of said strip being provided witha slit adapted to receive the thread attaching the collar button to saidshirt to thereby releasably secure said one end of the strip to theshirt.

3. A collar support as set forth in claim 2, wherein said slit isdefined by a pair of longitudinally extending slots, one of the slotsextending inwardly from the transverse edge of said one end of the stripand a substantially U-shaped slot interconnecting adjacent portions ofsaid longitudinal slots whereby said one end of the strip is releasablysecured to the shirt when said thread attaching the collar button to theshirt is moved into the U-shaped slot portion of said slit.

4. A collar support as set forth in claim 3, wherein the cohesive areaon one end of the strip is substantially larger than the cohesive areaon the other end of the strip.

5. In a collar support for shirts, an elongated strip of flexiblematerial of dimensions to be placed Within the neck opening of a shirtbeneath and in supporting relationship to the collar thereof withopposed ends of the strip disposed in overlapping, V-presentingrelationship, said strip being provided with a pair of spaced areasnormally disposed adjacent the parts of said collar where the rear partthereof merges with the side parts of the same, each of said areashaving a series of integral corrugations disposed at an angle withrespect to the longitudinal length of the strip for causing said areasof the strip to assume the normal arcuate configuration of the collarupon placement of the strip within said neck opening beneath the collarand without hand-shaping of the strip being required.

6. A collar support as set forth in claim 5, wherein the corrugations inone area are disposed at an angle opposite to the angularity of thecorrugations of the other area.

7. A collar support as set forth in claim 5, wherein the corrugations ofeach area are disposed with the normally lower ends thereof in closerproximity to corresponding ends of the strips than the upper ends ofrespective corrugations.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,663,573 Tharp Mar. 27, 1928 1,872,260 Elzey Aug. 16, 1932 2,155,065Steele Apr. 18, 1939 2,257,922 Wilson Get, 7, 1941 2,551,879 FreedmanMay 8, 1951 2,610,774 Calder Sept. 16, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 753,309Great Britain July 25, 1956

